Reading Heylin's book

[Jules Gray]

I'm reading that-awful-Mr-Heylin's Fairport book, and I have to say I'm really rather enjoying it.  I'm certainly learning stuff I didn't know.

But now and then he has me scratching my head.  Would somebody please help me unpick this sentence written about Died for Love:

"The result is a sight for sore ears even if held down by a rhythm-section with as much feel for English tradition as its countrymen had for punk rock."

Does this mean he likes the results despite the American rhythm section?  And if so, then why are the results a "sight for sore ears"?  I know that' a play on words, but doesn't the more usual "sight for sore eyes" have a negative meaning?  I'm lost!

Jules

[peter m]

A sight for sore eyes is when you see a beautiful person across a crowded room.

Even so, bit of a lumpen phrase from Mr Heylin. Quelle surprise.

[GubGub (Al)]

It is certainly an odd phrase (I have read the book and also enjoyed it. It pointed me to a lot of Ian Matthews records that I had never previously heard).

I think he is trying to sya he likes the record whilst at the same time having a bit of a pop at American musicians attempting English/British musical genres. But why would they need a feel for the English tradition to play Died For Love? It is hardly written in that style.

[Jules Gray]

A sight for sore eyes is when you see a beautiful person across a crowded room.

Even so, bit of a lumpen phrase from Mr Heylin. Quelle surprise.

Ah! Seems I've misunderstood the phrase all these years.  Thanks.

Jules

[Jules Gray]

But why would they need a feel for the English tradition to play Died For Love? It is hardly written in that style.

He argues that it's the closest thing on that record to folk-rock.

Jules

[GubGub (Al)]

But why would they need a feel for the English tradition to play Died For Love? It is hardly written in that style.

He argues that it's the closest thing on that record to folk-rock.

Jules

I was going to say I disagree with him but "closest" is a relative term. It may be the closest thing on the album to folk rock but it is still not folk rock by a considerable distance imho. It is nevertheless a fantastic song.

[StephenB]

Try conjunctivitis.com

It's a site for sore eyes.

 

[mickf]

Try conjunctivitis.com

It's a site for sore eyes.